Kidney cancer
Kidney cancer is caused when abnormal cells in either of the kidneys start to divide and grow in an uncontrolled way. The cells can grow into surrounding tissues or organs and may spread to other areas of the body.
There are about 7,700 new cases in men in the UK every year. In many cases, there are no obvious symptoms at first and a diagnosis may be given following tests for another condition.
Symptoms can include
- Blood in your pee – you may notice your pee is darker than usual or reddish in colour
- Persistent pain in your lower back or side, just below your ribs
- A lump or swelling in your side (although kidney cancer is often too small to feel)
- Extreme tiredness
- Loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss
- Persistent high blood pressure (hypertension)
- A high temperature
- Night sweats
- Swelling of the veins in the testicles
- Swollen glands in your neck
- Bone pain
- Coughing up blood
Lifestyle risk factors
- Being overweight
- Smoking
- Heavy use of painkillers such as Ibuprofen may also be a risk factor
For more information about Kidney cancer
Please visit the NHS websiteIf you have any of these symptoms or are concerned about any other signs, take action and get checked out by your doctor.
Source: NHS, 2020 and World Cancer Research Fund, 2019.